How the Burger Scam Works and How to Protect Yourself

Telephone frauds have evolved over the years and, although many of us are already familiar with scams such as false traffic tickets or non-existent packages, now Cybercriminals have found a new hook: the free burger SMSThis scam is causing havoc, especially among younger users, as promises a meal at no cost by a simple text message.

The trap is that, By replying to this SMS, the victim unwittingly subscribes to a premium messaging service that can generate exorbitant charges in just a few minutes. In this article we will explain in detail how this scam works, how to identify it and what steps to take if you have been a victim.

How does the free burger scam work?

This new scam uses as a lure something that is attractive to most people: a free hamburger from a well-known fast food chain. The victim receives a text message from a foreign number informing you that you have won a free burger and can choose from three prize options by simply answering with the letter A, B or C.

What the victim doesn't know is that by sending this response, their phone automatically sends a large number of messages to international numbers, generating additional charges on your bill. It has been reported that, in some cases, up to 100% of the items have been sent 120 messages in a matter of minutes.

Why is this scam so dangerous?

Unlike other similar scams, this SMS does not include malicious links, which makes it harder to detect. Many people believe that only messages with suspicious links can be dangerous, but this scam proves that You don't need to download any application or access any website to be a victim of fraud..

Furthermore, since it is a simple message with no obvious signs of fraud, It is easier for young people or people without advanced knowledge in cybersecurity to fall into the trap.

Real cases of victims of the scam

Reports from the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE) have identified multiple cases of people who have been deceived by this fraud. One of the most alarming was that of a minor who, after responding to the SMS, His parents noticed that their son's phone bill had unexpectedly increased.

Upon investigation, they discovered that the minor's phone had sent more than 120 premium messages to foreign numbers with a unit cost of up to 0,90 Euros by SMS. In total, the charge on his bill exceeded 100 Euros.

How to avoid falling for the burger scam

To avoid being a victim of this type of fraud, it is important follow some safety recommendations:

• Do not respond to suspicious messagesIf you receive an SMS from an unknown number with an offer that is too good to be true, simply delete it.
• Set up phone line locksYou can contact your telephone provider to request the deactivation of premium SMS services and the blocking of international messages.
• Using an antivirus on your mobile. Although this scam does not use malicious links, it is always advisable to keep a security software active on the phone.
• Educating the youngestExplain to them how these scams work and warn them about the risks of responding to unknown messages.

What to do if you have already been a victim

If you have fallen for the burger scam and have detected improper charges on your bill, you should act as soon as possible:

• Contact your telephone operator: Report what happened and request cancellation of premium services.
• Review permissions and applications: Check that no suspicious applications have been installed on your phone.
• Collect evidence: Save screenshots of the SMS and the bill charges so you can file a complaint.
• Report fraud: File a complaint with the National Police or the Civil Guard.

Cyber ​​scams are constantly evolving, and this new trend shows that cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to trick users. Caution and education in digital security are key to avoiding being a victim of these frauds.If you receive a message with an offer that is too good to be true, it is best to ignore it.